Blame the war, not the warrior

Posted: Tuesday, May 01, 2001

An open letter from Max Cleland, a Democratic senator from Georgia; Chuck Hagel, a Republican senator from Nebraska; John Kerry, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts.

War is hell. We hear these words in daily conversation, but only those who have seen combat can truly understand their full and brutal meaning. As our friend former Sen. Bob Kerrey reveals the details of the events of Feb. 25, 1969, we as Vietnam veterans in the U.S. Senate express our hope that this very private memory can help heal the public wounds that our country sustained during the Vietnam War -- and that have so obviously failed to heal completely.

Bob Kerrey's personal and difficult disclosure last week demonstrates the courage we all have known in him for years. It also reveals the very real guilt and pain that persists among combat veterans of all wars, and particularly Vietnam. When asked about their experiences ''in country,'' many veterans will tell you that they would never be believed, and worse, that they would never be forgiven.

The complicated nature of guerrilla warfare in the wars of Southeast Asia created many of the situations that Bob Kerrey and others like him encountered, particularly on covert, moonlight operations conducted by the Navy SEALs. Many people have been forced to do things in war that they are deeply ashamed of later. Yet for our country to blame the warrior instead of the war is among the worst, and, regrettably, most frequent mistakes we as a country can make.

Today, only 6 percent of Americans younger than 65 have ever served in uniform. For the remaining 94 percent, this episode can serve as a valuable opportunity to better understand the overwhelming costs of wars and the lifelong toll they take on the men and women who fight them. In particular, the roughly 1 1/2 million men and women who served in combat-related units in Vietnam will bear the physical and emotional scars of battle for the rest of their lives.

Bob Kerrey had the right to keep this memory private, but we hope that something positive can come from his public revelations.

First, we hope that other veterans who have buried their painful memories will now be able to share their stories with a family member, friend or counselor to bring closure to what may be the most terrible chapter in their lives. The U.S. Veterans Administration operates more than 200 vets centers across the country to help veterans and their families deal with the emotional trauma of war through counseling and readjustment services. Any veteran in a similar position today should call a vets center for the help that is there for him or her.

Second, we believe that this episode can serve as an opportunity for our country to tell all of our veterans, especially the Vietnam veterans, that we appreciate their military service and that we are truly grateful for their sacrifices. The return home for many Vietnam veterans was made all the more devastating when many of their fellow citizens shunned their service and demonized the soldiers who left home to fight for their country. It is never too late to give Vietnam veterans the welcome they deserve -- and it's especially important today to offer Vietnam veterans the understanding they were denied for so long.

Finally, as the horrors of war are discussed, we hope that they can serve to remind the U.S. government of exactly what happens when Americans are sent into harm's way. To commit our young men and women to a war is to subject them to the horrific experiences that former Sen. Kerrey and millions more are still trying to put behind them. War is a deadly serious proposition and should never be undertaken lightly or without the highest regard for those who bear its ultimate burden.

War is hell. But we hope that as a result of this episode, peace of mind and of conscience can find our dear friend Bob Kerrey and all of our fellow American veterans.

This article published in the Athens Daily News on Tuesday, May 1, 2001.